Two teams with vastly contrasting starts to the Conference League will meet on Thursday night, as Vitoria de Guimaraes host Mlada Boleslav at Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques for matchday three of the league phase.
The hosts are fifth in the table having won both of their two matches, while the visitors are sitting in 31st in the standings without any points from their first two outings.
Match preview
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Vitoria have enjoyed several successful seasons recently, securing European qualification in the Primeira Liga for three consecutive years, finishing sixth in both 2021-22 and 2022-23, and improving to fifth place in 2023-24.
They have made another strong start to the 2024-25 campaign, currently sitting fifth in the Primeira Liga table with 18 points after 10 matches, from five wins, three draws and two defeats.
Rui Borges's team have been equally impressive in the early stages of the Conference League, triumphing over Floriana FC, FC Zurich, and HSK Zrinjski Mostar in the qualifying rounds before securing victories against NK Celje and Djurgardens IF in their first two league phase matches.
Vitoria did lose for the first time since a 3-0 loss to Porto in September against Braga at the end of October, but they quickly bounced back with a confidence-boosting 1-0 triumph over Moreirense last time out.
Now aiming for a third successive win in the Conference League to continue their perfect start, Vitoria will host struggling Mlada Boleslav on Thursday evening for matchday three.
After a surprising fifth-placed finish last term, their first time placing in the top half of the Czech First League since placing fourth in 2016-17, Mlada Boleslav secured themselves a chance at qualifying for the Conference League.
They defeated FK Transinvest, Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Paksi FC in the qualifying rounds, but they have subsequently failed to win either of their opening two league phase matches, losing 2-0 to FC Noah and 1-0 to FC Lugano.
Those defeats coincided with a poor run of form across all competitions as Mlada Boleslav went eight games without a victory, losing three and drawing five, a run they have since ended with back-to-back wins.
Andreas Brannstorm's side will be boosted by those recent two triumphs, and they will now be aiming to make it three consecutive victories and secure their first points of the 2024-25 Conference League on Thursday.
Team News
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The hosts will likely be without the services of Jorge Fernandes, who has been out of action since August due to a shoulder injury, while Bruno Gaspar is also doubtful after coming off with an injury last time out.
Elsewhere, Borges could name a similar side to the one that defeated Moreirense in their last game, with goalscorer Nelson Oliveira continuing to lead the line.
As for the visitors, David Kozel, Lukas Fila and Lukas Masek are all not expected to feature in this match due to ongoing injury issues.
Having won each of their last two games, bringing an end to a run of eight matches without a win, Mlada Boleslav could field a similar starting team for this one.
Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Varela; Baio, Villanueva, Riberio, Mendes; Silva, Handel, Samu; Cesar, Oliveira, Santos
Mlada Boleslav possible starting lineup:
Trmal; Kral, Suchy, Kralik; Kostka, Stransky, Vydra, Ladra, Fulnek; Vojta, Kusej
We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 3-0 Mlada Boleslav
The hosts are undoubtedly the stronger side coming into this game, shown by the huge difference in how the two sides have started the Conference League, and we expect Vitoria to comfortably win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
